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August 31, 2004
Russell manifesto
Design: The Salmond/Sturgeon document is well set out, the Cunningham tract is easy to scan in straightforward unjustified type, but Mike Russell's manifesto is a pain to read. It is set in narrow justified columns (vertical 'rivers' of space flowing between the words) in Times New Roman (an ugly, spiky typeface only suited to rough newsprint) on a heavily tinted blue-purple background. Was the designer a Liberal Democrat or something?
Content: If Salmond/Sturgeon are pragmatists, and Cunningham a fundamentalist, Russell is an evangelist. His good news is that Scotland has a lot of unnecessary problems which can be solved relatively easily, and in the short term. (He is probably half right here.) He writes about 'systematic changes to culture, structures and processes of public agencies and political parties.' This is a major project!
The manifesto is entitled 'A Fresh Start on the Road to Independence', subtitled 'new hope, new ideas, new teamwork, new inclusiveness, new strategies'. There are appropriately five key points: I. 'Renewing the party': he will quadruple SNP membership by the time of the 2005 Westminster election, II. 'Taking new directions': he will re-examine key elements of SNP policy such as NATO (possibly joining instead of leaving) and the EU (a referendum on continued membership?), III. 'Encouraging participation': he will liberate, deliberate with, and empower the SNP while introducing radical measures including (happily) 'electronic participation', IV. 'Stressing enterprise and opportunity': he will initiate fresh approaches to business, infrastructure, taxation, health, education etc. (This is the most substantial section, where a lot of interesting ideas are floated.) Lastly V. 'Winning elections and winning independence'.
Overall there is something rather American about the grand aspirations, and the appeal to inspirational leadership. Implicitly the Russell plan requires persuasive, charismatic leadership to kick start the enthusiasm required to energize Scotland. Does Mike Russell have that charisma?
The manifesto is at:
www.mikerussellsnp.net/index.php?page=manifesto
Voting is now closed. Results on Friday, 3 September.
Posted by Simon Holledge at August 31, 2004 06:24 PM